developments in cork

😮 Today, Wednesday 31st May 2006, saw the final day for submissions due on the application by Frinailla Developments’ proposal to redevelop the much neglected former Keatings Bakery site along the Tramore Road, only a stone’s throw away from the South Ring Dual-Carriageway – offering superb access to either end of the city proper. Lodged toward the end of April, the residential scheme has received 9 seperate submissions from various parties (resident and local representatives alike) – the proposal seeks to rejuvenate the site with a mix of 96 spacious units over basement car-parking and a 399sq m creche. In all, the scheme will incorporate 16x 1-bedroom apartments, 56x 2-bedroom apartments, 10x 2-bedroom duplexes, 12x 3-bedroom apartments and 2x 3-bedroom duplex units. Frinailla have again enlisted Kiosk Architects, who have previously worked with the developer on schemes which include Springmount, Glanmire and CitySquare, Blackpool (under construction). Kiosk have emerged on the Cork architectural scene as a practice of both innovative and distinct character – among their best known completed works may be found along South Main Street in Cork city centre (i.e. the popular Wagamama/Captain America/Suas premises).

For more details on the Tramore Road project see here.

Aerial view of the former Keatings Bakery site – now the subject of a new proposal by Frinailla.

An existing view of the derelict subject site.

Images of the revival as proposed – a.) as seen fronting Tramore Road; b.) as seen from an internal courtyard.

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City Manager to leave Leeside?

In this month’s edition of Business Cork magazine (May 2006), a news-brief speculates the possibility of Cork City Manager Joe Gavin taking up the post left by John FitzGerald as Dublin City Manager. The rumour remains unconfirmed by Cork City Council – and here it remains speculation. What does such a prospect mean for Cork? Under Mr. Gavin’s management, Cork has undergone one of its most prosperous revivals – a track record any future City Manager will (should such a post need filling) most certainly be measured comparatively and hopefully seek to sustainably and imaginatively maintain. Mr. Gavin previously held the post of Galway City Manager from 1994 – 2000 and also oversaw various positions in local authorities including those in Sligo, Kildare and Mayo.

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😎 Bernard Crowley & Gerard Paul’s plans to develop 49-apartment units, a gym, basement car-parking and ancillary facilities (designed by Dennehy + Dennehy Design) at the former Riverside Farm along the Model Farm Road has now seen its appeal due date pushed back until June 21st 2006. Further details are posted here.

– meanwhile, Bernard Crowley’s latest application on a small store site just off Hanover Street (adjoining the recently permitted office scheme by Adrian Power at Clarke’s Bridge – currently in appeal) for a 6-storey office building designed by J.E. Keating & Associates is expected to receive a decision on June 7th 2006. Previously, Mr. Crowley had been refused permission to develop 4x 1-bedroom studio apartments on the small site. Interestingly, the latest application has received an objection from neighbouring property owners John & Michael O’Dwyer – Mr. Crowley subsequently added his own submission to the appeal currently under review on the O’Dwyer’s proposal for an apartment scheme, also along Hanover Street.

Tomorrow sees the final submission date for proposals on the highly attractive premises that is Cork City Central Library along Grand Parade. Intentions to receive proposals on the site were made known by City Manager Joe Gavin last February – the prospect of a joint redevelopment (including a new 55,000sq ft to 60,000sq ft library) or relocation of the library to a new city centre premises was invited. A number of developers have expressed interest in the valuable premises, among them Ascon, John F. Supple Contractors, Frinailla Developments, the Kenny Group and at least 2 other parties have expressed interest. Ascon have assessed plans in conjunction with Joe Carey and Frank Sheahan to relocate the library to the recently acquired Government Buildings site along Sullivans Quay (as part of a broader mixed-development to include offices). The existing Central Library building was completed on designs by Kelly Barry O’Brien Whelan Architects in 1975 and is set to be demolished as part of any new proposal. The prospect of the site’s acquisition will be one of prestige to the successful developer and open the way for a dynamic commercial development quarter, which may have some room for residential components also. Development at this site should serve to further enhance Grand Parade’s position as a primary retail extension to the Patrick’s Street area (along with Cornmarket Street), but may also build on emerging recreational and residential patterns nearby.

The Central Library spans 57 – 61 Grand Parade, curiously the limestone facade pictured above remains unlisted on the Protected Structures record.

The 1975 library frontage onto Grand Parade as designed by Kelly Barry O’Brien Whelan Architects.

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😮 Somewhat related to the details on Ascon above, hoardings were being erected and diggers excavating furiously today in preparation for construction work by the contractors on their Linn Dubh project at Susie’s Field, off Assumption Road and the Blackpool By-Pass. The project will be built to house the new Revenue Commissioners offices – consequent of Ascon’s successful bid in conjunction with Frank Sheahan and Joe Carey, who had attained planning for the office scheme through architects Jack Coughlan & Associates, back in 2003. As part of the winning bid, the developers have acquired Government Buildings on a 3/4 acre Sullivans Quay site facing across the River Lee’s South Channel onto a soon to be rejuvenated Grand Parade.

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😎 DAT Partnership have seen a request called of them by CCC for Further Information yet again regarding their CentrePoint proposal along Clontarf Street. A decision date had been set for June 6th 2006.

😮 Paul Kenny has been granted permission on his plans to develop 32 houses between 2 and 3-storeys on the former John A. Woods premises along the Carrigrohane Road – not far from Cork County Hall. The land, which hosts The Kenny Group’s new Cork offices, measures approx. 2.63 acres – Mr. Kenny sought permission for 26 terrace houses with roof-gardens and conservatories adjacent to the steep “cliff” face on site, with amenity access to the ridge zone for occupants. A further 6 houses were proposed with access to the Curraheen River. Generally, private open space is provided in a combination of roof terrace and access to forest gardens along the escarpment or riverside – while public space is proposed to connect to the bridge and river walkway. The scheme is designed by Murray O’Laoire Architects and came highly praised by the planner who opened his assessment of the scheme stating, “Overall, the proposed development has much that commends itself…”; of the house and landscaping designs it is stated in the planning report, “The quality and size of the units is a significant departure from the norm” and “the quality of proposed landscaping is of a high order”. Again, Mr. Kenny seems to be showing continued evidence of a strong focus on design – another prominent project of his, that of The Treasury scheme along Saint Patrick’s Quay garnered strong praise for peers and planners alike, that scheme was designed by Wilson Architecture. Early word of designs Mr. Kenny is working on for his pivotal Citi Car-Park site at 50 Grand Parade (backing out onto South Main Street) are positive – though clear designs of the scheme have yet to be seen. There would seem to be a recognition that investment in good design pays off.

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😎 Blackpool Developments (The Shipton Group) are likely to appeal their scheme granted today for Blackpool Park. Originally, a 6-storey building over 54-space basement car-park with 30 apartment units and ground floor retail, again designed by Kelly Barry O’Brien Whelan Architects, sought permission for development to compliment the already successful and well-praised scheme. The planner sought it necessary to omit 3-floors from the scheme via condition.

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Western Road Apartment Scheme

Mentioned first a few weeks back, Paul Montgomery’s plans for a residential scheme along the Western Road on the former Muskerry Service Station site are now scheduled for a decision on July 19th 2006. The scheme is designed by Derek Tynan & Associates (Or DTA Architects as the firm is now labelled) and comprises of 59 apartments over 2-buildings of varying heights between 5 and 6-storeys and basement car-parking for 54 vehicles. The scheme is designed to maximise vistas and perspectives of its riverside location with extensive glazing patterns on the east and southern elevations. The blocks are divided by a break in the forms allowing channelled perspectives from the road to the water’s edge. A mixture of hard, timber and soft landscaping is arranged on site. What is likely to draw controversy however is the treatment of elevations to the north and west which are extensively curtained by stone cladding with intermittent breaks in the form of fenestration. The cubic and steep verticals of these elevations are located close to the roadside and offer an imposing sight. Top floors are recessed. It will be interesting to see how planners consider the application.

Unfortunately, access to images is limited – the example posted below is of poor quality but reflects the Western Road frontage (northern elevation) of the eastern block. Protruding glazed frontages to the east can be seen facing the river.

Again apologises for the quality – piteously I don’t have available images to otherwise highlight the scheme in its entirety.

– the other DTA scheme in Cork that is making talk is that of Victoria Mills’ second phase. The scheme is an extension of the controversial student accommodation development and offers 31 student apartments over basement car-parking and commercial floorspace. The architect has opted for a brown brick finish to the scheme rather than a continuation of the original phase and its lighter render. It has been almost a week since Ridge Developments, contractors on the scheme, have removed the tower crane. Below find some images detailing the scheme’s construction and more recent images following removal of the scaffolding.

A perspective of the scheme as viewable from O’Neill Crowley Bridge approaching Victoria Cross.

From the west: the 1st Phase of Victoria Mills can be seen in the background.

Among the best assets the scheme has is its location next to the Curraheen River – the setting is quite attractive.